SnapChat is a popular photo sharing application available on most smart phones. The application works by you snapping a photo and sharing it with someone, but the unique thing about this app is that once the receiver gets the photo he or she will only have seconds to view it before it is deleted forever. The whole concept behind this app is that your pictures or data is safe and secure, because once it’s sent and viewed it is deleted from the users device and SnapChats servers. Although this may sound good in theory, this app is actually detrimental to our privacy and is only another tool of surveillance. You may have heard in the news lately that a group of hackers hacked into SnapChats servers and released thousands of users information. This action by the group of hackers may have been seen as random act with malicious intent, but in fact, it was an act of counter surveillance to uphold standards of privacy that SnapChat was not up to par with.
SnapChat is essentially based upon a fib. Once you transmit anything online you give up the ability to control where it goes. Additionally, SnapChat tries to portray its app as something that can be used anonymously, which isn’t quite possible; there is effectively no such thing as anonymity online, only superficial anonymity, which can be risky. This perception of privacy makes it easier for a user to disassociate them from what he or she transmits through Snapchat. To elaborate on whether images transmitted through SnapChat are actually “deleted” or not, you can think about a basic principle of online privacy, there is none, or you can simply glance over SnapChats terms of use. The principle of Internet privacy being nonexistent is that once something is transmitted online it has to travel through several servers to reach its destination. In SnapChats case, once you send a picture through the app the picture travels through your phone carries server, to SnapChats server, to the recipients phone carries server, while being logged at all of those places along the way. Now to take a look at SnapChats terms of use, if you brief over them, it states they have the right to sell your information as an asset of the company and also that they cannot guarantee that a user photos will be removed or deleted from their servers in a timely manner. These statements made by SnapChat in their terms of use contradict their entire marketing camping.
SnapChat is essentially based upon a fib. Once you transmit anything online you give up the ability to control where it goes. Additionally, SnapChat tries to portray its app as something that can be used anonymously, which isn’t quite possible; there is effectively no such thing as anonymity online, only superficial anonymity, which can be risky. This perception of privacy makes it easier for a user to disassociate them from what he or she transmits through Snapchat. To elaborate on whether images transmitted through SnapChat are actually “deleted” or not, you can think about a basic principle of online privacy, there is none, or you can simply glance over SnapChats terms of use. The principle of Internet privacy being nonexistent is that once something is transmitted online it has to travel through several servers to reach its destination. In SnapChats case, once you send a picture through the app the picture travels through your phone carries server, to SnapChats server, to the recipients phone carries server, while being logged at all of those places along the way. Now to take a look at SnapChats terms of use, if you brief over them, it states they have the right to sell your information as an asset of the company and also that they cannot guarantee that a user photos will be removed or deleted from their servers in a timely manner. These statements made by SnapChat in their terms of use contradict their entire marketing camping.
What can be seen as an effort of counter surveillance, hackers exploited a hole in SnapChats security and exposed 4.6 million users accounts information to shed light on how unsecure SnapChat was and how vulnerable users privacy was. Hackers released username’s and partial phone numbers for the world to see. The hackers are gave an explanation of the attack as saying they did it to bring awareness to the issue of security and privacy, and that those to issues should not be a secondary goal.
In brief, perceived privacy on the Internet can be risky; it persuades online users that their data is private, when in fact its not. The hackers used counter surveillance; because their tactic’s intentionally disrupted a technological tool of surveillance, also know as SnapChat.
Works Cited
Gross, Doug. "Millions of Accounts Compromised in Snapchat Hack." CNN. Cable News Network, 02 Jan. 2014. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.
"Snapchat's Expired Snaps Are Not Deleted, Just Hidden." Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 15 May 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.
"The Wall Street Journal." MoneyBeat RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014
In brief, perceived privacy on the Internet can be risky; it persuades online users that their data is private, when in fact its not. The hackers used counter surveillance; because their tactic’s intentionally disrupted a technological tool of surveillance, also know as SnapChat.
Works Cited
Gross, Doug. "Millions of Accounts Compromised in Snapchat Hack." CNN. Cable News Network, 02 Jan. 2014. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.
"Snapchat's Expired Snaps Are Not Deleted, Just Hidden." Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 15 May 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.
"The Wall Street Journal." MoneyBeat RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014
I agree with your points about SnapChat's premise being a fib, although I would add more to the lack of privacy that users of the app openly agree to. Not only can receivers of a snap "screenshot" a photo (granted it was shared for at least a few seconds) but the newest snap chat update allows users to replay one photo or video per day. The implications of this are obvious; users have more power to turn these seemingly "private" photos public. What strikes me as most surprising is how an app which ostensibly is meant to publish private photos for a short amount of time counteracts this goal with its own updates. If SnapChat lacked bona fide privacy before, it surely lacks it now.
ReplyDeleteJonathan Berry-Smith
I also have had similar thoughts about this recent SnapChat trend. I do agree that SnapChat seems tricking us with the unique concept that the photos or videos we send are going to be just instantly popped up and disappeared. Those millions of new users including myself are definitely attracted by this unique function and find it fun. However, when we talk about the privacy that appears to be unsecured, we should think about the whole point of using this smartphone application. We know that nobody uses this app with the purpose of securing my privacy at first place. We use it for fun but this unique function that keeps others from looking at it for long time or saving it is just another feature that makes this app popular. It is not that we need some kind of app that produces some images for a short period to soley protect our privacy. We have to keep in mind that it is merely as another attractive feature in addition to the fun we get from this activity of sharing our photos. Therefore, though I strongly agree with the issues that are resulted from those misconception that SnapChat generates by "sort of" assuring that this app is NOT going to let others from interrupting your privacy THAT MUCH, I would like to redress the ignorance of us not caring those "agreement terms" closely enough and blaming that we lost our privacy or we feel insecure. As Jonathan also points out, we can always "screenshot" everything, and if we did not want others to see my photos, we should have not even sent that to others at first place either. It also shows how it is contradictory as we rely on these technologies to believe as if our privacy can be protected while we're actually sending those private pictures or videos to others for fun.
ReplyDeleteSophie Park
I'm also one of the victims of the Snapchat leaked information. After the news was spread, I checked my name on the website that would tell you whether you are safe or leaked, unfortunately mine is the latter. I felt confused, surprised and terrifying. SInce my information is out there I don't know what people could do about it, I don't even know what information do they have, my phone number? My email access? My pictures? Or even my bank account. One of my friends was trying to sue or do something because he thought this wasn't fair but then you see the fine print. It's funny how a company could be so tricky and how us as a customer still fall for it. The system is scary. To be honest how many people do really read the terms and conditions before they press I agree? It seemed like they know it would happen. What the hackers say about their actions sound real smart to me. Who knows they might just did it for fun but their explanation where they said they want us as consumers be aware more about technology is actually open my eyes and makes me realize that there is really no one to blame if we don't take care and look out for ourselves first.
ReplyDeleteJarred, It was valuable to see you drill down into the details of how Snapchat operates technologically and uncover its disclaimer about protecting privacy. Your treatment of hacking into Snapchat as an act of counter-surveillance is well reasoned. It would be good to see you expand on this connection, drawing upon ideas from Gilliom and Monahan as well as lecture. Still, you make us very aware that forming a technology on the Internet to protect privacy while enabling global communal exchange is a daunting task. Best.
ReplyDeleteJarred, I completely agree with that SnapChat is based upon a fib. When we consent to the terms before signing up for a site like SnapChat or Facebook, we fail to do one and that is read the terms and agreement. I feel that they make it lengthy and in small print on purpose so people just skim through it and press "agree." I think it is very scary how anyone can screenshot snapchats and do whatever they like with them. I honestly don't understand the concept of SnapChatting if people could screenshot and keep the photo. You did a good job with the hacking example and how it ties into counter-surveillance.
ReplyDeleteAs an older person with more experience under my belt, all these new social networking applications that seem to come out day by day, it is very overwhelming to me. The only two social network sites I am a part of are Facebook and Twitter. I am on the fence about social networking and being part of it because of the reasons stated in your blog and your information getting out there into the wrong hands. These thieves who hack and steal information are sophisticated and scary that this is why I do not use sites like Snapchat and Instagram. I have had my debit card stolen(not the actual card) but card information and they tried to make a purchase of $700 dollars at Target and then again with buying gas in Spain. If I did not depend so much on the debit card, I would get rid of it and go back to just cash and check. We have debit cards and cell phones for convenience but we do not have to be part of these social networking sites if we do not want to be and it has come to my mind many times to discontinue use but I do have a group of friends I like to keep in contact with. I keep my profile private and hope for the best. ~Shari Gray~
ReplyDeleteI was immediately drawn to this post because the title is Snapchat. It is such a widely used app and one of my personal favorites because it's a fun way to share funny pictures with all your friends at once. Having said that, I agree that their entire marketing strategy contradicts with the truth behind their app. For one, they claim that viewers cannot save the picture you sent them, which is false. I've saved multiple pictures my friends have sent me and they have saved mine, which I know because it will tell me that my friend has taken a "screenshot". I think one of the reasons people are drawn to Snapchat is because of this sense of anonymity or at least the belief that your pictures are being deleted. However, I think that if people truly believe that their pictures are not being stored in cyber space then they are naive. In today's world, anything that is put on the internet stays on the internet. I think Snapchat's intention is to create an app where pictures are deleted, so they market in that way. Their terms of use have to contain the truth that whatever is put on the internet stays on the internet or else they would be sued in a heartbeat. So, they have to protect themselves but also do their best to create an app that consumers will enjoy, which they do. It's hard to know what is right and what is wrong because the technological advances today are harder and harder to keep up with and creating an honest product is becoming increasingly difficult. -Brooke Arthur
ReplyDeleteYou fit the nail right on the head. Snapchat is a fib. Companies should not be allowed to claim that their app provides privacy when the information is kept on servers that can be leaked.
ReplyDeleteTerms and services are never read. Successful lawsuits have been made against companies against their terms and services. It make sense... if the terms and services say that you have to give your firstborn to them, and you agree; it won't actually be enforceable. Internet companies know this and will sometimes add silly things to their terms and services as an easter egg.
Perhaps, the way terms and services and permissions are presented should be changed. When you install an app, much like how apps have to specifically ask for "permission" to view sections of your phone. Terms and services should be bulleted and listed here. Maybe i am just an optimist, but i firmly believe in transparency and many other people feel the same way. This could be seen by the outrage that was caused when a tech site reported that a plain "Flashlight" app was tracking users location and giving them to 3rd party companies without permission. A good phone should be able to block and allow apps from requesting such permissions.
Tina Truong
While I do agree with most of the information that you provided, I do not believe that Snap Chat is a fib. Aside from being able to screenshot someone's photo It serves its primary purpose of keeping the viewing capabilities of our sent "snaps" limited. Per Wikipedia, SnapChat is "a photo messaging application" in which users can "take photos, record videos, add text and drawings, and send them to a controlled list of recipients." Furthermore, it says that after the snap is sent to a specific recipient for a specific selected amount of time, the snap "will be hidden from the recipient's device and deleted from snapchat's server. It is not fair to judge the efficacy of snapchat's privacy based on what was leaked during the recent hacking. Aside from being able to Screenshot, Snap Chat serves it's primary purpose. It is one of many social network applications that allows users to send and receive photos and videos without having to worry about them being saved to the users phone server via text message. No one joins snap chat to ensure that their phone number and username remains private. That's not what the app was intended for, so to judge the efficacy of a product based on something it was not intended for is wrong. Again, unless the screenshot feature is used by a recipient, the users photo can not be recovered. I don't know about anyone else, but that's what attracted me to the app in the first place and I think if you judge it based on what it was intended for, it serves it's purpose well.
ReplyDeleteTiarra Pittman
While I am not a user of SnapChat, I know that it has a large active user base. It’s disturbing that the company would based their advertising campaigns on the idea of internet privacy, yet requires its users to consent to a terms of use that basically states that the company will not be held liable for the protection of these data. Also, I agree with you that the perception of privacy is more dangerous than actually not having any privacy since people tend to be less cautious of their actions when they believe that they are not being surveilled upon.
ReplyDeleteI think that a good solution to such problems is to have legislations that would hold these companies responsible for the security of their apps/technologies and would punish them for any data hacks or leaks. But of course such rules would most likely be difficult to pass because the very same companies would oppose any regulations that interfere with the free-market system.
- Jessica N. Siah